Chelsea analysis: N'Golo Kante key for Antonio Conte as Olivier Giroud pushes for Barcelona role

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Simon Johnson11 March 2018

Chelsea clung on to a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge to get back to winning ways ahead of Wednesday's Champions League trip to Barcelona.

Willian's fifth goal in five games and an own goal from Martin Kelly gave Chelsea a 2-0 half-time lead, but Palace gave their hosts plenty of cause for concern.

Palace striker Alexander Sorloth hit the post after 47 minutes and had a late strike ruled out before Patrick van Aanholt netted against his former club in the 90th minute.

The Blues, who had had chances to kill the game off, most notably when Olivier Giroud also struck a post, held on.

Simon Johnson assesses the key talking points at Stamford Bridge...

What a difference Kante makes

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If anyone had started to take Kante for granted at Stamford Bridge, the events of the past week will have given them a timely reminder.

A big reason why Chelsea were so insipid at Manchester City on Sunday was because Kante was absent after fainting a few days before.

The calibre of the opposition this afternoon was obviously not as good, but the France international's presence back in the line-up was key to Chelsea's dominance for long periods.

He was clearly not feeling any lasting effects of his mystery illness as Crystal Palace.

Opposition players were closed down and lost possession time and time again.

Palace at least have Zaha's return to cheer about

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On a sobering outing in west London for Crystal Palace fans, the sight of their talisman back on the pitch will give them cause for hope.

Understandably, Zaha showed some signs of rust as he came off the bench in the second half for his first appearance for five weeks.

However, Zaha still showed enough trickery and pace to cause Chelsea's backline some concern and set up a nervous finish with a fine assist for Patrick van Aanholt's goal.

Statistics show that Palace have lost all nine League games that Zaha has not played in this term and it goes without saying that he is key to their survival hopes.

Chelsea, who were tormented by the Ivory Coast international in their last two meetings, would have been relieved that he wasn't fully match fit to start here.

Giroud may make Conte think twice in Barcelona

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Everyone, including Barcelona, will expect Conte to revert back to the 'False Nine' formation when Chelsea play the La Liga leaders at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

Even though Chelsea have to score at least once to have a chance of progressing through to the last eight of the Champions League, Conte will surely opt for the same tactics that worked well for the most part in the first leg.

But Giroud once again showed the kind of impact he makes on the team when he leads the line.

The former Arsenal striker is not the quickest or the most clinical - he should have scored at least twice here.

However, his presence allows Eden Hazard and Willian a lot more freedom and space to run into in the final third.

Hazard benefits in particular as he isn't wasted up front chasing lost causes and is far more involved in the action.

One still suspects Giroud will start on the bench in Spain, but Conte will surely have to turn to Giroud if they need a goal.

Palace need more of Tomkins' style than Kelly's

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A sign of whether a team can escape relegation is the manner in which they defend and Palace will hope Tomkins, rather than Kelly, has set the standard for the rest of the season.

In Kelly's defence, fortune was certainly not on his side when he inadvertently deflected Willian's shot in off the post.

But surely he could have done better than divert the ball into his own net after initially blocking Davide Zappacosta's goal-bound shot for the second?

Tomkins showed how it should be done with a miraculous clearance off the line to deny Giroud in the first half.

Then he charged at Willian with great bravery after the break to block Willian's effort from close range.

Chelsea's top four ambitions are still alive

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Things looked bleak for Chelsea after suffering successive League defeats in Manchester, but the door is ajar once again.

Liverpool's loss at Manchester United, combined with Chelsea's victory here has closed the gap to Jurgen Klopp's men to three points.

They have also cut the gap to fourth-placed Spurs, who play at Bournemouth tomorrow, to just two, which might put Mauricio Pochettino's men a little under pressure before kick-off.

When you consider that Chelsea play Tottenham and Liverpool at home in the run-in, they still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League next term via the League.

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